What role does the law play in relation to the covenant?

The law, as articulated in Galatians, is not an instrument of righteousness but rather serves as a mirror reflecting humanity's sinfulness and need for a Savior. Its purpose was to expose transgressions and highlight the necessity for the grace found in Christ. Paul asserts that the law was given many years after the covenant was established with Abraham, illustrating that righteousness comes by faith, not by works of the law. Therefore, the law drives the elect to recognize their inability to attain righteousness on their own and leads them to be wholly reliant on Christ and His merits. This understanding liberates Christians from the weight of legalism, enabling them to rest in the finished work of Christ as the true source of their righteousness.